Kids learn about God, amazing wonders of the world

Running across the basketball court with about a dozen preschool classmates, Logan Rasco stumbled to the ground.

His tiny 3-year-old hands flung forward on the glossy basketball court surface, and his knees hit the floor.

He wasn't fazed.

Seeing the other kids scurry ahead, Logan let out a big laugh, then picked himself up and commenced chasing the other children, who were also chasing their vacation bible school leaders running in figure eight patterns across the court.

"We're playing ball," he said, pointing to the action.

"Playing ball" was part of First Baptist Church's Vacation Bible School recreation, one of many stations the children rotate through during the day.

More than 100 children, from preschool to fifth grade, are attending the camp this week at the church.

Themed the Amazing Wonders Aviation, the camp is teaching students about God's design of Earth's largest natural wonders in the world.

Some of the destinations include visits to the Paracutin volcano, Great Barrier Reef, Northern Lights, Grand Canyon, Victoria Falls and the Matterhorn mountain.

"Each class they visit is geared toward that grade level. It's the same story, but with a different delivery for each," said school director, Nycki Fernandez. "It keeps them excited."

The weeklong free camp aims to provide recreation and Bible studies for area children, while teaching them how to grow their personal relationship with Christ.

During music class on Tuesday, second-grader Brennan Proctor, 8, learned to sing and use sign language in music class, choreographed to Jeff Slaughter's "If God."

"What does this song teach us?" music teacher Stacy Hudson asked the class.

"That God is for us," 9-year-old Christopher Hudson responded.

"The reasons that I think music is important is, one, they have a really good time with it, and two, I think it really helps them learn and internalize the message that they're getting in other classes," Hudson said, following the demonstration.

First Baptist's vacation bible school will culminate Friday with a carnival for the children, including games, activity booths, prizes and a bounce house.

"VBS is my favorite children's ministry we do because it reaches beyond our own church children to the children of the community," Fernandez said. "My hope for them this week is that they have an exciting adventure as we visit all these places around the world."